cliff tops. that is what automatically expires. we know that it costs about $30 billion continuing those additional unemployment benefits. president obama said it is part of a deal that i want to make, those benefits should continue. the public has to take a firm stand. we have seen in the past that obama had to cut a deal in order to get those extensions. host: what specific benefits to these programs provide? guest: the usual weekly cash payout is about $300 a week. sometimes it can vary. in mississippi i want to say it is closer to do hundred dollars. host: how are the programs usually bonded? guest: there funded by payroll taxes. the state administers the programs and the money goes to the unemployed. host: talk about what qualifications people have to meet in order to apply. guest: generally you have to have basically a year of earnings. the earnings have to be a certain threshold. you have to have been let go from a job. it is not like you can just wore mauve and a cloud of anger and qualif